Ronald Ikejiri Segment 11

Born in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California (ddr-densho-1000-461-1) - 0:02:01
Kibei father's experiences in Japan (ddr-densho-1000-461-2) - 0:06:18
Parents' wartime experiences, renunciation of U.S. citizenship (ddr-densho-1000-461-3) - 0:05:55
Living in Gardena after the war, parents' financial struggles (ddr-densho-1000-461-4) - 0:04:40
A close relationship with father (ddr-densho-1000-461-5) - 0:04:40
Father's community activities (ddr-densho-1000-461-6) - 0:03:43
Activities during childhood: Japanese language school, Boy Scouts (ddr-densho-1000-461-7) - 0:06:52
Running for city council in Gardena, appreciating different aspects of the Japanese American community (ddr-densho-1000-461-8) - 0:07:14
Attending college and deciding to go to law school (ddr-densho-1000-461-9) - 0:10:11
Taking a position as the Washington representative for the Japanese American Citizens League (ddr-densho-1000-461-10) - 0:06:08
Mentored by Congressman Norm Mineta upon first moving to Washington, D.C. (ddr-densho-1000-461-11) - 0:03:53
Setting up groups of formal and informal advisers in Washington (ddr-densho-1000-461-12) - 0:06:52
Working for the Japanese American Citizens League during the early days of the redress movement (ddr-densho-1000-461-13) - 0:07:14
An important meeting of the four Nikkei senators and congressmen (ddr-densho-1000-461-14) - 0:10:11
Mike Masaoka's role in the early days of the redress movement (ddr-densho-1000-461-15) - 0:06:08
The challenges of working with different factions in the fight for redress (ddr-densho-1000-461-16) - 0:03:53
An important interview on Larry King's radio show (ddr-densho-1000-461-17) - 0:09:13
Role during the redress movement: spending times in smaller communities and local chapters of the JACL (ddr-densho-1000-461-18) - 0:08:16
The role of the media during the time of the redress movement (ddr-densho-1000-461-19) - 0:19:37
Thoughts on Japan's perspectives on the redress movement (ddr-densho-1000-461-20) - 0:06:03
The important roles of individuals during the redress movement (ddr-densho-1000-461-21) - 0:12:11
A pivotal meeting with Ronald Reagan (ddr-densho-1000-461-22) - 0:08:00
The importance of redress to the Japanese American community (ddr-densho-1000-461-23) - 0:07:36
Leaving the Japanese American Citizens League (ddr-densho-1000-461-24) - 0:04:29
Running for public office (ddr-densho-1000-461-25) - 0:09:05
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ddr-densho-1000-461-11 ()

Mentored by Congressman Norm Mineta upon first moving to Washington, D.C.

0:03:53 — Segment 11 of 25

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February 6, 2019

Densho Visual History Collection

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ddr-densho-1000-461

Ronald Ikejiri

Ronald Ikejiri Interview

3:04:06 — 25 segments

6-Feb-19

Los Angeles, California

Sansei male. Born December 3, 1948, in Los Angeles, California. During World War II, parents had been incarcerated at the Tule Lake concentration camp, California. Father signed 'no-no' on the so-called 'loyalty questionnaire', renounced U.S. citizenship, and was sent to the Department of Justice camp at Bismarck, North Dakota. Family did not end up expatriating to Japan, and reunited instead at the Crystal City camp in Texas. After leaving camp, returned to California and started a gardening business in Gardena, California. Ronald attended UCLA and then graduated from the Northrop University School of Law. In the late 1970s, took a position as the Washington representative for the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and worked during the redress movement. Elected to the Gardena City Council in 2001.

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

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